I was referred to Dr. Callahan by my primary doctor, Dr Callahan and staff are extremely nice, professional, and knowledgeable. I’ll return for eye care and have already recommended her to my family.
Chang Liu
LASIK Surgery at NewView Eye Center
Are You a Candidate for LASIK?
Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, and a thorough evaluation is essential before proceeding. Our LASIK Surgeons carefully review several factors to determine whether LASIK, or an alternative approach, is right for you.
Candidates are generally at least 18 years old, and your prescription should have been stable for at least one year before surgery. A stable prescription helps ensure your results will be consistent and lasting over time.
LASIK corrects nearsightedness (difficulty seeing far), farsightedness (difficulty seeing near), and astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea causing blurred vision at all distances). Candidacy depends on whether your prescription falls within safe treatment limits. Very high prescriptions may require an alternative procedure.
Your cornea must have sufficient thickness so that enough tissue remains after reshaping to maintain long-term structural strength. Corneas that are too thin or irregularly shaped, such as those showing early signs of keratoconus (a condition where the cornea gradually thins and bulges), are generally not suitable for LASIK. In these cases, surface-based procedures like PRK or EpiLase may be a safer option.
Healthy eyes are a prerequisite for LASIK. Active eye infections, significant inflammation, severe dry eye, glaucoma (elevated eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve), or cataracts (clouding of the eye's natural lens) must be properly evaluated and managed before surgery is considered.
Most patients achieve very good distance vision after LASIK, and many no longer need glasses or contacts for everyday tasks. However, individual outcomes vary based on healing, prescription, and age-related changes. Our team will discuss what results are realistic for your specific situation during your consultation.
Your daily activities matter when considering LASIK. If your job or hobbies involve a significant risk of eye injury or physical contact, our LASIK Surgeon will talk through the safest approach and any precautions you should take. This conversation helps ensure the procedure fits your life, not just your prescription.
Benefits and Risks of LASIK
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK comes with meaningful benefits and some risks to consider. Understanding both helps you make a confident, well-informed decision with your care team.
LASIK has a strong track record of improving vision for appropriate candidates. Common benefits include:
- Significantly reduced or eliminated need for glasses and contact lenses
- Fast recovery, with most patients returning to normal activities within one to two days
- Long-lasting corneal reshaping that remains stable for many years in most patients
- Improved comfort during activities like sports, swimming, and driving
- A procedure that typically takes only about 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes
Many patients describe the freedom from corrective lenses as a significant improvement in their daily quality of life.
While serious complications are uncommon, it is important to be aware of what can occur after LASIK. Potential side effects include:
- Dry eyes: Temporary dryness and discomfort are among the most common side effects and can often be managed with lubricating eye drops
- Glare, halos, or starbursts: Some patients notice these effects around lights, particularly at night, especially in the early weeks after surgery
- Under- or overcorrection: A small number of patients may benefit from an enhancement procedure to refine the outcome
- Flap-related issues: Irregular healing or flap displacement is uncommon but can affect vision and may require treatment if it occurs
Most side effects are temporary and improve as your eyes heal. Your LASIK Surgeon will review your individual risk profile before surgery so there are no surprises.
Preparing for Your LASIK Procedure
Good preparation makes a real difference in how your surgery goes and how quickly you recover. Following these steps before your procedure helps ensure accurate measurements and the safest possible outcome.
Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea, which can throw off the precision measurements needed for LASIK. Soft lenses should be removed at least one week before your pre-operative evaluation. Rigid gas-permeable or hard lenses require a longer break of up to four weeks to allow your corneal shape to return to its natural state.
Before scheduling your procedure, you will undergo a detailed eye exam that includes measuring corneal thickness, mapping the corneal surface (called corneal topography), assessing pupil size, and a full wavefront analysis. These tests allow our team to build a personalized surgical plan that is both safe and effective for your eyes specifically.
You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery, so arrange for a trusted friend or family member to be with you. It is also helpful to fill any prescribed eye drop medications in advance so you have everything you need the moment you get home.
Let our team know about all medications you take, any known allergies, and your complete medical history. Certain medications or health conditions may need to be addressed before your surgery date. This information helps us personalize your care and reduce any preventable risks.
What to Expect on Surgery Day and Beyond
Knowing what to expect during and after your procedure helps you feel calm and prepared. Our team guides you through every step, from the moment you arrive to your final follow-up visit.
When you arrive, numbing eye drops are applied so you feel comfortable throughout the procedure. A small, gentle device holds your eyelids open so you do not need to worry about blinking at the wrong moment. The laser then creates the corneal flap and delivers your customized reshaping treatment based on the data collected at your pre-operative evaluation. The entire process typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes.
You will rest in a recovery area for about 15 to 30 minutes before heading home. Your vision may appear blurry or hazy initially, which is completely normal. Protective eye shields are worn that evening to keep you from rubbing your eyes while you sleep and to allow the healing process to begin undisturbed.
Your first follow-up visit is typically scheduled within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, with additional check-ins at one week and one month. You will use prescribed eye drops to prevent infection, control inflammation, and relieve dryness during recovery. These visits allow your care team to confirm that your cornea is healing as expected and that your vision is progressing well.
Some dryness, light sensitivity, or fluctuating vision in the early weeks after LASIK is normal. These effects typically resolve within weeks to a few months. If dryness persists, additional options such as punctal plugs (tiny inserts placed in the tear drain to help retain moisture) or prescription-strength lubricating treatments may be recommended to support your comfort and visual outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are designed to help you think through the practical details and individual considerations of LASIK that often come up during consultations.
Mild to moderate dry eye does not automatically disqualify you, but it does require careful evaluation before surgery. In some cases, treating dry eye first, then reassessing, is the safest path. Our team will measure your tear film production and quality during your consultation and discuss whether LASIK, or a surface-based alternative like PRK, would be the better fit for your tear health.
LASIK corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but it does not prevent presbyopia, the natural age-related loss of near-focusing ability that typically begins in the mid-40s. If you are already experiencing this, your LASIK Surgeon can discuss monovision LASIK, a technique that corrects one eye for distance and the other for near, as one possible approach to managing near vision needs after surgery.
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and our EpiLase surface ablation are flap-free alternatives that treat the cornea at the surface rather than beneath a flap. They are often preferred for patients with thinner corneas, certain corneal surface irregularities, or occupations that carry a higher risk of eye injury. Recovery takes a bit longer with surface procedures, but the visual outcomes are comparable. Your pre-operative evaluation results will guide which option is most appropriate for your eyes.
LASIK produces permanent corneal reshaping. For most patients, the results remain stable for many years. However, natural aging processes, including the development of presbyopia or cataracts, can affect vision over time. If your vision changes significantly years after surgery, an enhancement procedure may be an option depending on your remaining corneal thickness, which is why we recommend annual eye exams to keep track of your vision health long term.
Yes. Because LASIK is typically considered an elective procedure by most insurance carriers, out-of-pocket costs are common. However, Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts can often be used to cover LASIK costs with pre-tax dollars. We also work with CareCredit financing to make the procedure more accessible. Our team can walk you through the available options during your consultation.
Yes. While most post-operative symptoms are mild and expected, you should contact our office promptly if you experience a sudden significant decrease in vision, severe or worsening pain, or signs that your corneal flap may have shifted, such as sharp pain combined with a dramatic change in clarity. These are uncommon but are situations where early evaluation is important. Never rub your eyes forcefully in the days following LASIK, as this is one of the most preventable causes of flap-related complications.
Take the Next Step Toward Clearer Vision
If you are ready to explore whether LASIK is right for you, we invite you to schedule a comprehensive consultation with our team at NewView Eye Center, proudly serving patients across Northern Virginia. Our LASIK Surgeons bring decades of experience, advanced technology, and a genuine commitment to personalized care, so you can feel confident in every step of your vision correction journey. We look forward to helping you see clearly and live more freely.
What our Patients Says
Explore More
Find more information about our doctors, services, and technology that keep your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.